Here is the second article in a series of blog posts which dare to compare our line of authentic beauty care products with some conventional high end and brand name cosmetics. Since most women are used to spending pennies on little plastic bottles of petroleum-based products to make them “pretty,” we felt it important to accompany our authentic beauty project with a re-education initiative.

While billions are spent on botox and chemical concoctions making women sick in the name of “beauty” we’re trying to lay a few bricks on the road to a sustainable, ethical, empowering and Nature-based model for women’s self-care. A model that isn’t about how you look, but how you live! A model that allows beauty to be what it should be--a true reflection of your overall well-being and an inspiring demonstration of authenticity itself! Isn’t that what “be you ty” is really about?

Dolce & Gabanna’s Lipstick

Today we are comparing Dolce & Gabbana’s high end lipstick with our luxury lip nutrition. First the price… ringing in at the till with a $42.50 US price tag (or 25.50 UK pounds) this luxury lipstick comes with a rather long and disconcerting list of “luxurious” ingredients:

Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate – it’s used as an “antioxidant” and has a
high risk of bioaccumulation (this means just like pesticides, your body will accumulate it in the tissues faster than it is able to get rid of it) and is toxic to the environment.

Phenoxyethanol - preservative that is a high risk skin and eye irritant, and somewhat toxic to the nervous system. It is considered an occupatonal hazard only allowed to be exposed in low quantities.

Fragrance – the word “fragrance” in a product could refer to as much as 1000 different synthetic aromatic chemicals which remain undisclosed and are not written on the label! Fragrance chemicals are known to cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential harmful effects on the reproductive system and irritates the skin, eye and lungs.

Propylene Carbonate – a synthetic solvent that acts as a skin, eye and lung irritant.

Titanium Dioxide - Colorant, opacifying agent; sunscreen Agent; ultraviolet light absorber that when inhaled acts as a carcinogen. It is considered an occupational hazard which can cause moderate toxicity to internal organs. It can’t penetrate intact skin, but given this ingredient is found in a lipstick it can be directly consumed into the mouth, so no skin penetration necessary!

Benzyl Benzoate – used as a solvent, preservative and fragrance ingredient. It is considered to be a high occupational hazard, disruptive to the endocrine system, causes allergies and skin inflammation.

And much, much, more…. *sigh*

be you’s Luxury Lip Nutrition

Ringing in at $20.00US, our luxury lip nutrition lasts a long time and contains the following organic and wild-crafted ingredients:

Here’s how these organic and wild-crafted ingredients measure up to scrutiny:

Golden jojoba oil - This golden oil naturally rich in lipids and peptides creating a soft, silky, feel that has long lasting conditioning effects on the skin. It also smooths and softens the skin, and contains Vitamin E.

Seabuckthorn oil - Just a few of many benefits are: it is beneficial for all skin types, has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces redness and heals mucous membranes.

Happy Beeswax – Beeswax is known to protect skin from damaging environmental factors. It is a naturally nourishing moisturizer, and it’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it great for wound healing.

Stone Root – Stone Root is known as an anti-inflammatory. It also reduces pressure in the veins and eases congestion.

Schizandra Berry – The schizandra berry is used as an anti-inflammatory. The essential oil from this berry increases resistance to stress and stabilizes cell membranes.

Carrot – Essential Oil from the carrot is full of antioxidants that can help you retain your youth. These anti-oxidants can help prevent wrinkles, helps to detox the blood, and stimulates circulation.

Neroli – This essential oil can help cure chronic depression and invoke a feeling of joyfulness. It helps in the healing of scars and marks on the skin, and promotes the regeneration of new skin cells.

Rose – Rose Essential Oil is soothing to the heart and uplifts the soul. It is soothing and cooling on the skin and aids in elasticity.

Grapefruit- This refreshing, uplifting oil tightens and tones the skin, helps prevent blemishes and aids in the promotion of lymphatic flow.

Now, which would you rather be putting on your lips and sensitive kisser?

Have Your Ordered Your Kit Yet?

Whether you kiss, communicate, or contemplate the nature of the universe–while you nibble and twist your lips, only the best oils, natural waxes and potent plant extracts should be gliding across your loveable lips!

The idea of so many nasty chemicals in a lipstick, let alone other cosmetics, that build up in the body, and cost a fortune for the insult? Not for me! My great aunts used geranium petals for cheek colour, added a little beeswax to them for a hint of lip-colour, They grew evening primrose to make their own oil. All four of them looked amazing, living into their eighties, nineties, and Great Aunt Sarah made it to 108 – all on naturally produced fresh foods, and skin care made from botanicals without all those nasty artificial substances with names no-one can pronounce!

I love what you are doing; how you are also taking the opportunity to turn the tables, get people to see what is going in these products, and that it is possible to be all natural and sustainable without the help of man made preservatives etc BRAVO on dishing it out. LOVE the products! CANT WAIT TILL I can have the money to buy the whole thing! I was so excited when I got the info in the mail! Congrats Tera and to the BE team